LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Pop up head light prob

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Old Jul 17, 2013 | 02:56 PM
  #1  
fbird38's Avatar
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From: Tallmadge oh
Default Pop up head light prob

My drivers side headlight when it goes Down it makes a very loud clicking sound


1996 firebird
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Old Jul 17, 2013 | 03:08 PM
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From: Charlotte NC
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Welcome to owning a 93-97 Firebird! Your headlight gears are crapped out and stripped causing the motor to run longer than it should and make annoying popping sounds You can either buy a new ($$$) headlight motor, buy a used one that may or may not have the same issues off ebay or the junkyard, or buy the brass (or cheap out and put another plastic gear in) headlight gears and install them in the motor assembly...it's not a "serviceable" part, GM wants you to buy a brand new one so you have to have a little mechanical skill to take it apart, replace the gear, and glue it back togther. Good luck!

THIS:

http://www.classicindustries.com/fir...ts/f93021.html
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Old Jul 17, 2013 | 06:41 PM
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The clicking noise is a few teeth stripped off the gear. You can just take the housing apart, flip the gear, and glue it back together. No need to buy any parts. The headlight actuating only uses about 1/4 of the circumference of the gear so when you flip it you are starting with an area on the gear that has never been used. I flipped mine 10 year ago and it's still working perfectly.
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Old Jul 18, 2013 | 05:39 AM
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From: South Jersey
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You don't even need to go that far. Here's the easy way:

Manually raise the headlight all the way up (spin the ****). It will take a minute or two since it goes so slowly.

Once the headlight is up unbolt the lift arm from the motor/gearbox and slide the arm off. You'll notice that the shaft the lift arm bolts has two flats, making it keyed.

Manually spin the lift/lower **** until the shaft spins 180 degrees.

Reattach the lift arm, reinstall retaining nut.

Manually lower the headlight assembly to it's normally closed position.

And you're done. Turn on the headlights to verify the headlight doesn't click.
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